Who We Are

Zimmerman & Associates, L.L.C., CPAs is a well established, aggressive professional certified public accounting firm. Our financial information presentation is among the finest in the industry. Our reputation for quality and integrity is well known and respected by bankers, surety companies, lawyers, and trade associations. Our experience encompasses such industries as construction, manufacturing, wholesale, retail, real estate, professional associations, computers, restaurants, estates, and non-profit organizations. We put special emphasis on management advisory services! Our aggressiveness and dedication complement our years of experience, just as our personalized accounting, tax and financial planning, and management advisory services set us apart from other accounting firms.

Consider Our Reputation

When retaining a professional, you want quality results that work for you, that meet your needs and help you achieve your personal and company goals.  As certified public accountants, we can provide all of your needed financial planning and tax services.

We understand the construction industry and know the specialized methods of construction accounting. As your surety company will tell you, financial reports are as important as your knowledge and experience in maintaining your ability to bid new work.

In one instance, a new client obtained a bonding line in excess of $12 million within two weeks after their first Zimmerman & Associates financial statements were issued. For two years prior to engaging our firm, the Company had fruitlessly attempted to qualify for bonding.

With our help, numerous other clients have received bonds primarily based on financial statements that properly recognized income and accurately categorized the balance sheet prepared by Z&A.

Specialization & Training

Z&A takes pride in the substantial investment it has made in its people, computers and comprehensive research libraries. Z&A believes that it is no longer possible to provide clients with quality services by being a sole practitioner, or a firm comprised of “generalists”, or to be so large that a client must take a “number” and stand in line. Z&A’s team is comprised of the appropriate mix of specialists in accounting, auditing, taxes, computers and management advisory services. Although Z&A professionals are specialized in the services that they provide, the firm places a priority upon teamwork and coordination among specialty groups to provide the highest quality services. We are prompt, efficient and cost effective.

Z&A is sensitive to its clients evolving concerns about new business opportunities, financing matters, computers, and financial issues – as well as the ever changing tax code and financial accounting standards. Z&A professionals are required to take a minimum of 40 hours of continuing professional education each year – normally in their area of specialization – to keep abreast of changes in our profession. We are constantly reviewing and analyzing new accounting and bookkeeping systems to be knowledgeable in the recommendation of the appropriate system for you, our clients.

The Z&A Difference

Outstanding services and strong client relationships built upon trust and confidence are the obligations of every Z&A professional.

Unlike small firms – Z&A can provide the specialized knowledge required to prevent or, if necessary, fix the “big problems”. Z&A’s professionals are experienced CPAs, accountants and consultants – not recent college graduates obtaining on-the-job training at your expense and possible detriment – unlike many large firms.

Meet Our Professional Management Group

We would like to introduce our management professionals to you:

Under Bob’s leadership our firm grew from a small two-man operation to our present regional organization. Bob continues to constantly update himself in the accounting and taxation phases of business. 

Bob has sat on various professional committees, donating his extensive business knowledge and experience to the financial communities who have supported our firm’s growth. He has made numerous speeches to financial institutions, community groups and trade associations. His knowledge of the construction industry is among the top in the country.

Richard W. Brunner, CPA - Tax Member
Rich is a graduate of Loyola College with a degree in accounting. Rich is in charge of our tax department. He also chairs our new business program and public relations department. In this capacity he is constantly interacting with bankers, lawyers, investment brokers, insurance agents and numerous public figures.

Rich has a powerful personality. He has unique leadership abilities which allow him to be readily understood by outside professionals as well as our staff and our clients. Rich has the knowledge and experience to effectively plan and execute complicated business and tax programs. His leadership and aggressiveness set a great example to our professional staff, clients, and the business community.

David Huebschman - Senior Member
David is a graduate of UMBC with a degree in economics. He is our Senior member. David is also in charge of our field accounting operations. In these capacities he controls our internal staffing as well as our field operations staff.

David is calm and collected.  His friendly forthright personality has made him a treasured confidant to our clients and staff alike.  He is consistent, dedicated and comprehensive in his work habits.

Jeffrey M. Quinn, CPA - Managing Member
Jeff is a graduate of McDaniel College with degrees in Economics and Business Management. Jeff is our Managing Member. He is highly skilled in all phases of computer technology. In this capacity he handles the day to day operations of the business and maintains our extensive internal computer operations. Jeff is our QuickBooks expert and the author of our newsletter.

Michelle McLoughlin - Member
Michelle earned her degree in accounting from Stevenson University and is our member in charge of Business Development, Marketing and Public Relations.  Her tireless enthusiasm and eagerness keeps her actively involved in various business networking groups and community associations.

Michelle brings a wealth of audit knowledge to our firm and is leading our effort to provide such services to non-profit organizations throughout the Maryland, Virginia and Washington D.C. areas. 

Jane Wisniewski - Information Technology Specialist
Jane is in charge of our internal accounting and assists the managing member in controlling our overall business operations. In this capacity she is responsible for our internal computer operations, the preparing and securing of signed engagement letters that must be received before and engagement can be started; as well as the overseeing of the preparation of management advisory letters that are written at the end of each engagement. Jane is our “technical quality control” specialist.

We Furnish Essential Services

Have you recently started a new division, sold your home, bought a new building, hired a new bookkeeper or considered buying new equipment? Are you bidding your first major contract? To help you, you need an accountant who can recognize the effects any of these will have on your business operations, credit or bonding. He must work with you to reap the maximum benefits from these moves.

We have many clients who can attest to our ability to answer questions, resolve or avoid problems and plan tax effects.

As normal and usual practice we will provide you with any or all of the following:

• Monthly bookkeeping
• Payroll taxes, prepared at your office or ours, as requested
• Annual and interim financial statements
• Accounting field work performed at your office, when possible
• Personalized tax planning
• Personal and individual attention to preparation of financial statements and all tax returns
• Cash flow analysis and projections
• Representation before the Internal Revenue Service
• Client review of financial reports
• Estate planning
• Assistance with IRA’s and other retirement plans
• Computer assistance

We Serve Your Special Needs

Some businesses refer to their accountants as “Bean Counters”. Some accountants deserve these references, but we do much more. On a semi-annual basis we publish an in-house newsletter compiled from numerous industry, tax and accounting sources covering a variety of subjects to keep you abreast of tax and business topics.

A few years ago, we commented about the disparity between employee wages versus subcontractor status. Congress is now addressing this subject in an attempt to define these controversial distinctions while the IRS has made this a major attack area.

We have the capability and particular experience to meet the changing requirements of your business.

Have you yearned for medium or long-term capital to expand your plant or purchase a crane or computer? The Small Business Administration (SBA) might assist you if you know how to qualify. SBA loans are intended to help small businesses grow, but the qualifying financial information can be staggering. We can help you!

A client with wholesale inventory was able to acquire a sufficient SBA loan to expand their inventory and modernize their business with the purchase of a computer system. This client, with our assistance, has maintained sufficient bank financing to survive the tough times and now is a major force in the industry.

A corporation might be saddled with an undesirable income tax accounting method, restricting business growth and cash flow. On many occasions we have acquired IRS approval to change tax methods, always with beneficial tax results.

A contractor engaged us for the sole purpose of applying to the IRS for approval to change from one tax method to another. We won approval after another accounting firm had reached an impasse. In the first year, the taxable income was $1,200,000 less than income properly recognized for financial, bonding and banking purposes. The resultant deferral of $398,000 in income taxes will be postponed indefinitely, solely due to the difference in the two most appropriate methods of accounting for each area of interest – taxes and finance.

As a taxpayer, you are potentially subject to IRS tax compliance audits. Handled professionally, the threat and potential disaster of an examination can be reduced to a minor nuisance.

A manufacturer in business for over fifty years was audited by the IRS and assessed additional taxes in excess of $150,000. After the former accountants had recommended that the client pay this amount, our firm was engaged and Bob Zimmerman personally intervened. He argued the case from the auditor level through final appeals in order to reach an equitable settlement of under $10,000.

The past may not come back to haunt you, but there are advantages to looking back, and we do.

A client’s prior accountant did not recognize over $20,000 of qualified credits. Our client-site accounting work allowed us to review prior years’ records and discover this costly oversight. Amended tax returns were filed resulting in the refund of $20,000, plus interest.

Special issues occasionally arise that place the client in a vulnerable position with tax authorities. Such circumstances need not work to your ruin.  We have the capability and competency to address your tax needs from a total perspective.

Our client owed $180,000 in payroll taxes. The IRS would have bankrupted the company had it attached the client’s bank accounts. In a joint meeting between the client, IRS and us, we were able to negotiate a monthly payment plan of $3,000, allowing the client to continue to operate and survive. This client is now a strong, successful company.

Other specialized services readily available include:

• Tax and accounting seminars
• Estimating and review of bidding procedures
• Starting up new corporations
• Business expansion and consolidations
• Sub-chapter “S” analysis and elections
• Analysis of corporate value
• Corporate liquidations
• Corporate spin-offs
• Computer hardware and software selection
• Analyzing computer needs
• Solving computer related problems
• Assistance in getting prequalified
• Personal statements of net worth
• Audited financial statements for preferred bond rates and bank lines-of-credit
• Financial forecasting
• Budgeting
• Cash flow planning
• Breakeven analysis
• Investment assistance
• Management assistance and analysis
• Business advisory services
• Training of office staff
• Valuation of closely held businesses
• Set up of Limited Liability Companies
• Assistance in qualifying for government preferred “8A” status

We Are Accessible To You

Our office is located northwest of Baltimore, within two miles of the Baltimore beltway. You can contact us by telephone, e-mail or by fax - more importantly we will come to you – no matter where you are located! We presently have clients located in Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Virginia and Arizona.

Zimmerman & Associates will adjust its workday to your business hours. We do a major portion of the accounting work at your place of business, enabling us to work effectively and at your convenience. Whenever possible, records remain under your control and at your disposal. We can solve many of your problems while performing our normal services. This saves both time and money.

We Want To Be Your Certified Public Accountants & Business Advisors!

If you are just starting out, have been “burned” by accounting services that fall short of your needs and expectations, or feel that your staff is working more for your accountants than your company, then consider our alternative.

We work with you toward your goals and keep your interests at the forefront of our efforts.

We know the work we do, we do it with enthusiasm for you and we do it right!

LET US BE YOUR ACCOUNTANTS!!!

Z&A is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants (MACPA).